Paraiso - Mexican Restaurant Taqueria & Mezcaleria 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20003

"Grabbed coffee at Paraiso Cafe on a weekday morning. Service was a bit slow, but staff were very kind and attentive. I would highly recommend their food and drinks. I tried the Cafe de Paraiso, a latte made with homemade horchata, which was terrific. I'd recommend stirring occasionally as the almonds settle and it was very thick and hard to drink at the end. Also excellent atmosphere and great decore/ambiance. They have WiFi, so easy to work from the cafe! I would highly recommend this spot ."

"I recently had the incredible opportunity to try the Dine in the Dark Blindfold experience, and it exceeded all expectations. From the moment I entered the restaurant, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. Once blindfolded, my senses heightened, and every bite became an adventure. The flavors were exquisite, and I found myself savoring each dish more than I ever have before. It was a delightful challenge to guess the ingredients and flavors without relying on sight. What impressed me the most was how the entire experience was seamlessly orchestrated. The staff was attentive, guiding us with grace and ensuring a safe and enjoyable evening. The surprise menu kept us guessing, adding an element of surprise to each course. Aside from the delicious food, it was undeniably a lot of fun. Conversations flowed effortlessly as we relied on our other senses to engage with the food and each other. It was a unique and memorable social experience. Overall, the Dine in the Dark Blindfold experience was not just about the food; it was a journey of the senses. It's an adventure I would gladly embark on again, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a dining experience that is both tasty and truly unforgettable."

"Before we get too far into this review, I want to highly recommend this restaurant to anyone willing to explore a well-balanced plate of food, both in portion and in palette. It's worth every cent and I will be returning to explore the rest of the menu. The atmosphere is clean, fresh, and vibrant with a bunch of invigorating artwork and statement lighting pieces throughout the main dining area. The service was top notch (allergies accommodated excellently). The General Manager, Brad, left an incredibly positive impression on our table with his cheerfulness and his clear, apparent love for the chef's menu. I'll take his food recommendations any day! With that out of the way, let's get into what was ordered! The beverages I was able to experience were La Mula and La Colada. Both are traditional drinks, but Paraiso put their own spin on the classics. La Mula is a pineapple-forward drink made with their Xicaru Mezcal, ginger, and lime. It was a refreshing drink that balanced the usual bitterness associated with agave-based liquor. La Colada is a coconut-forward drink made without alcohol per the menu, however I asked for the host's recommended coconut rum to be added. It was smooth, creamy, and the entire table enjoyed their sip before I greedily kept this gem of a pour to myself. As for the appetizer and main entree, I was able to experience the Restaurant Week menu. I selected Queso Fundido and Poblano Mushrooms served with corn tortillas (not pictured, it was gone in less than a minute!), Short Rib and Mole Verde, and the Tres Leches. The Queso Fundido and Poblano Mushrooms was a delightful starter of primarily soft, pull-able white cheeses served in a cast iron pan. It was enough to fill four corn tortillas, and everyone who tasted it, enjoyed it. The only small critique of this dish was the lack of salt to help enhance the flavors. Don't let the grease scare you, it's an attestation to the quality of cheese used for this dish! The Short Rib and Mole Verde was the main entree and it was a showstopper. This short rib was perfectly cooked, as is evident in the video included with this review. It was tender without sacrificing the integrity of the cut, and very well-seasoned. It was matched with a mole verde that packed a little heat on the back of the palette and a smooth mashed potato purée to help cool it down. The balance on this plate was incredible. Every bite, whether with one item or all, was delectable. And let's not forget the surprising star of the plate: the brussel sprouts! I was incredibly impressed by the sweet flavor packed into these mini vegetables and they added a nice crunchy texture to an otherwise softer plate. Dessert was just as much a pleasure to eat as the aforementioned. I have a history in pastry arts and I can appreciate the ability to make this unique, traditional dessert and the skill it took to plate it. It was like stepping into abuela's kitchen, sneaking a taste of the sweet dulce de leche before popping a spoonful of moist cake into your mouth. They top their Tres Leches with a toasted meringue that brings a delicate sweetness to an otherwise typically heavy dessert, and it elevates it to another well-balanced plate that had my son scraping at the plate once it was gone. Wrapping this review up, I cannot recommend Paraiso Taqueria enough. I will be returning, and this next time with more tequila-loving friends to experience their tasting menu! Thank you for an amazing meal and being so kind to my mother by accommodating her allergies. Context: Reservation was made for 7p, and we arrived at 6:50p and was seated immediately. We ordered drinks and the appetizer by 7:10p and served by 7:30p."